A loose term implying collectible books rather than used books. This is probably the most selfexplanatory term on the list. Major comics companies have titles with histories that span decades of publication, and if you are new to a particular arc, it can be hard to even decide where to start. These comics are read right to left, opposed to left to right like western comics. A term indicating a given book is in the same condition as when originally published. Original comic art a broad term used to describe a piece of art that is related to comic books. The discussion of the various systems of comic book production has been put together from numerous pieces of evidence, including but not limited to comicsindustry lore, statements by comics creators, letter columns, and the analysis of production materials, including scripts, original art, coloring guides, and color separations. The ian levine collection, a comic book collection that includes every comic book published by dc comics from 1935 through 2016, including. Learn about the formats and definitions for comics and read our glossary of comic terms. Comic book definition of comic book by the free dictionary. Comics as a medium has developed specialized terminology.
To translate this into comic books is to imagine that the panel is a camera and it is shooting. Original comic art terms, jargon and lingo explained click to get an appraisal. Most copies of youngblood, west coast avengers, and x will never do as well as a highly sought after spiderman, batman, or other mainstream comic book. Information and translations of comic book in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Key collector comics mobile app offers a variety of different. They update their database quickly for scanning new comics on release day. Letterer the person responsible for writing the text within the word balloons, captions, titles, credits, sound effects and panel borders as well as their placement. Panel a panel is one of the boxes on the page of a comic book. It combines a comic event that maybe span a total of 7 comic books into 1 book. The movie, based on a comic book, is a twisted, convoluted mess. An earlier, shorter version of it was published in 2006 on the website of the national association.
A series can be an ongoing, meaning it runs until the publisher decides to cancel it, or a miniseries with a set number of issues at the outset. Glossary of comic terms find common terms and definitions related to collecting. Synonyms for comic book at with free online thesaurus, antonyms, and definitions. It pays to become familiar with the basic descriptive terms used by used and rare booksellers to communicate a particular book s condition. Trades are the term for series comics, not for standalone stories which would be graphic novel. Foxing has been variously attributed to a microorganism, iron particles in the paper, a high acid content in the paper, or a fungus reacting to metallic residue or other conditions of the paper. This page will list and describe the most common terms used in comics. If youre interested in collecting comic artwork, or have some original art and dont know what youve found, then youre in the right place. Sometimes, a trade paperback may collect stories that are not. A book from a famous and usually high grade collection e. As a result of the search i came up with the following site. A story or character that usually appears after the main feature in a comic book. It combines a large amount of comic books into one thick book.
The term shot is typically found in filmtelevision terminology to describe the field size of a single moment in a scene. A comic book issue that is published only once with no plans of a series. Will eisner used the term sequential art to describe comics, a definition later modified by scott mccloud into juxtaposed pictorial and other images in deliberate sequence mccloud 9. An omnibus is usually the entirety or a significant part of a run, which differentiates it from a trade.
Several attempts have been made to formalise and define the terminology of comics by authors such as will eisner, scott mccloud, r. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during. This list of terms breaks down the different roles within a comic book, commonly. Grade overall condition of a comic book as measured, presumably, against a standard. Comic book, bound collection of comic strips, usually in chronological sequence, typically telling a single story or a series of different stories. Many have intrinsic collecting value, but this has become less preva lent in recent years. Collecting comic books is an inherent part of buying comic books. A comic book that is from a widely known original owner collection. The most accepted terms and grading method are published in the overstreet comic book grading guide.
Definition of comic written for english language learners from the merriamwebster learners dictionary with audio pronunciations, usage examples, and countnoncount noun labels. We use ebay to provide references to live prices of comic books. Definition of comic book collecting in the definitions. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps philately or books bibliophilia, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. See condition and whiteness level see also msts grading faq grease pencil a wax based marker commonly used to write on cardboard. No slack is cut for a comics age or any other factor mint means perfect, and thats all there is to it. Beware of nonpedigree collections being promoted as pedigree books.
Comics are easy to recognize but difficult to define. Comic definition for englishlanguage learners from merriam. Comic book price guides, like overstreet, have a minimum price for comic books. Omnibus is a collection of a large amount of comic books. A comic book issue that contains the debut or origin of the character or some other important feature of the story, and could especially be of interest to collectors. It is a term commonly used by comic book collectors. Tolkien when considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value.
It can vary in amount of issues it combines, but not exceed roughly 12 comic books. Additional or supplementary material generally found at the end of a book. Jun 25, 2019 wearable technology is a blanket term for electronics that can be worn on the body, either as an accessory or as part of material used in clothing. A guide to book conditions the hobbit first edition by j. An apparent grade is applied to any comic book that has evidence.
Comic book collecting is a hobby that treats comic books and related items as collectibles or artwork to be sought after and preserved. They typically have smooth edges, but can also have jagged or irregular edges. Comic book definition is a magazine containing sequences of comic strips usually hyphenated in attributive use. Glossary of comics terminology hey kids comics wiki fandom. Much of the terminology in english is under dispute, so this page will list and describe the most common terms used in comics. Love the wish list option, helps to keep track of the comics im missing in collection. Once you start to buy comics and amass a certain amount, you have a collection. Mint comics often command prices over ten times higher than the same item in good condition.
Original comic art terms, jargon and lingo explained and illustrated. Text containers balloons aka speech balloons, bubbles the objects that are used to contain the dialogue that the characters in the comic speak. However, without any prior knowledge or idea of what to do, it can get pretty confusing. A series is also sometimes called a title, which refers to the entire series, not a single, discrete unit. A comic book is a magazine or book containing sequential art in the form of a narrative. This glossary is intended to provide a brief overview of common words and phrases, not a defini. Slang an illusional grade given to comics on ebay by sellers that either dont know how to grade or more than likely want to scam the ignorant buyer into believing that actually have a nm graded book. The entire comic book is like a collection of unrealistic industrial design assignments put in practice.
Splash page when a panel consists of the entire page. Those comics that do, especially cgc graded books, can attain the highest possible market value that is out there. In some cases, first issues have become phenomenally valuable due to a brief glossary of comic book terminology vol. Here, too, there is value to the first comic book that a particular writer or illustrator wrote or painted, as well to the second and third. If your interested in viewing a comparison of page. It can refer to an issue, but it usually refers to a standalone story comic run. When comic book publishers began mailing comics directly to monthly subscribers they would simply fold the. If you describe something as comic, you mean that it makes you laugh, and is often. Collecting comic books can be a fun hobby and generally consists of buying, selling, and protecting your.
Starting or even just expanding an existing comic book collection can seem a little daunting. The term comics in this context does not refer to comic strip s such as peanuts or dilbert. Comic collector live buy, sell, organize comic books. A floppy is a generalized term for a short floppy comic. A comic book is a bound collection of strips, each of which typically tells a single story or a gag joke in a few panels or else a segment of a continuous story. Book collecting article about book collecting by the. A comic book or pamphlet is the traditional periodical form most people are familiar with. Writing about comics and graphic novels duke university.
Word balloon a word balloon surrounds the dialogue that a. A glossary of comic book terminology creator resource. A term popularized in the early 90s to describe an attitude as well as a style of art that portrays women in a sexual and often actionoriented way. Some of the terminology used in book collecting can be arcane, indeed. Field size refers to the distance between the camera and the subject in addition to the focal length of the lens. Here is a glossary of comic book terms, that are regularly used in comic book. Comic has major defects but is still intact and readable. Graphic novel is a term whose definition is hard to pin down, but usually refers to selfcontained, book length form. Most of the more popular newspaper comic strips eventually are collected over a varying period of time and published in book form. This can include, but is not limited to, comic book art published and unpublished, convention sketches, pinups, color guides, newspaper dailies and sundays, card art, etc. Familiarizing the terms used in comics is essential.
Clicking a text link or image marked check live prices will take you to ebay. Note that the marketability of any comic book can change based on time, the popularity of the character or characters, collector demand, etc. Definition of holographic document, and gallery of examples found on being one of those kids that grew up watching star trek, i naturally assumed a holographic document was a floating, translucent letter from the tau ceta star system. The worlds greatest dc comics fan is selling his collection. It is the key to understanding the hobby of comic book collecting, or any hobby that involves collecting.
Panel refers to one block or square on a comic strip or on a page in a comic book. The first true comic books were marketed in 1933 as giveaway advertising premiums. In other words, it takes a dealer time to sort, bag, board and price any comic book. A list of comics you have at your lcs that you pick up on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Comic definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Otaku a term used to describe diehard fans of anime and manga outside of japan. With those evolutions come new terms and definitions as they relate to trading cards. A comic book can stand on its own or be a part of a series. A oneissue only comic, also referred to as standalone issues. The emblem of the cca is a white stamp in the upper right hand corner of comics dated after february 1955. Comic book collection software pc free downloads and.
This will only happen if there is a market for your comic though. The term comics in this context does not refer to comic strips such as peanuts or dilbert. It is the key to understanding the hobby of comic book collecting, or any hobby that involves collecting valuables and antiquity, and dealing with people in the comics industry with success. The term foxing is used to denote the reddish or tannish spots, speckles, or bloches that discolor the paper of some older books. Babe test a lost but not forgotten thread greggy defies any definition soti seduction of the innocent the title of a book written by dr. A work whose authenticity or authorship is in doubt.
Probably the most well known of all reference materials on the subject of book anatomy and book collecting terminology, known by many as the table of contents or the howto bible. There are collectors who focus on collecting comic books of a certain figure or of a certain writer or illustrator. The depths of which you go to collect and protect that collection can be widely different. Journalismnews reporting that is done in comic form. Austin is a former comic book artist who concentrates on the human form. A cover considered by collectors to be highly desirable. Due to the nature of paper, discoloration is expected over time. Visual glossary of terms used in comic book grading this is by far the largest glossary of comic book grading and description terms, i have found online. A floppy comic is also known as an american comic book. A brief glossary of comic book terminology sciencedirect. First appearances, early appearances, origin stories, iconic cover art, classic stories and many other categories could be considered a key issue.
A comic book is a magazine that contains stories told in pictures. Visual glossary of terms used in comic book grading. Comics terminology this document is free for noncommercial educational use. Glossary of sports cards terms and definitions it seems as if the hobby of collecting sports cards and entertainment trading cards is one that continues to evolve yearafteryear. Two page spread when the comic book art spills over into two pages. Much of comics terminology in english is under dispute.
Shot types cs, cu, ecu, els, fs, ls, mcu, ms comic book. Just scan barcodes with your camera and automatically get full comic details and cover art. Fredrick wertham that warned that comic books were a bad form of popular literature and a serious cause of juvenile delinquency. The focus in each of these definitions is sequence. List of terms for comics studies by andrei molotiu. Information and translations of comic book collecting in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Some would have its use restricted only to longform narratives, while at the other extreme are people who use it as a synonym for comics or comic book. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. Perfect condition as highlyregarded a state in comic book collecting as in coins and stamps. Comic book definition and meaning collins english dictionary. Hopefully, our glossary will help you unravel some of the jargon used by book collectors and book sellers. A series of comics consists of consecutively numbered single issues under the same title, i. The title is unpopular, or was bought in quantity during the speculation bubble of the early 1990s, and is now being dumped by collectors.
Allentown, lamont larson, edgar churchmile high, denver, san francisco, cosmic aeroplane, etc. Comic books showed avenging women with preternatural physical powervillains or. I put together the following list of terms, for the use of my students at indiana university, bloomington and at the university of louisville, over the more than a decade that i have been teaching courses on comics. Definitions of comic collecting slang and terms comics. Lcs showing customers how diamond sent them their batman 89s. Truly rare comic books may come along once or twice in a lifetime. Comic book definition, a magazine with one or more comic strips. Log into facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know. Looking for help understanding commonly used book collecting terminology, or abbreviations and references used in book sellers descriptions. When considering the purchase of a book for your collection, the condition and, if applicable, the dust jacket are the most important factors affecting the value.
Collecting comic books is an age old staple of simple investments, with even greater numbers of people taking part in it due to the current rise in popularity for superheroes. Restoration is the treatment that returns a comic book to a known or assumed state through the addition of. Though considerably more recent than the collecting of postage stamps or books bibliophilia, it has a major following around the world today and is partially responsible for the increased interest in comics after the temporary slump experienced during the 1980s. A cover of a comic book where a painting was used for the artwork instead of a line drawing. The shop pulls the comics for you and keeps them in a box, so you make sure you have all your subscriptions. We know comics can be confusing, and part of clarifying it is defining the vernacular for new readers. Comic book database software, catalog your comic collection. The following are terms that are commonly used in the comic book industry, as well. Today sotheby announced that is will auction dc complete. The term run can refer to multiple things in big 2 comics. Sothebys selling most complete dc comics collection ever. Although the term implies otherwise, the subject matter in comic books is not necessarily humorous, and in fact its dramatic seriousness varies widely. The truth is, it is up to each individual collector to determine what a key comic book is based on their own preferences. A good copy has a significant amount of damage possibly including a book length crease, large spine split, cover or centerfold detached, major tears, significant markings on cover, water damage, discoloration, brittleness.
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